**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, Sweet Things!
Finally, August 1st! I’m always so glad to see it come so that it can GO. But it’s not just the end of a long, hot summer for everybody. It’s also the last couple of weeks of summer vacation. Those of you with school-age children will soon find yourself back in carpool lines and going over spelling words. In just a couple of weeks, Jackson will start kindergarten and will catch our whole family by surprise even though we’ve known it was coming for five and a half years. We just cannot fathom it. We have a picture framed in our bedroom that I see everyday with Keith and I cuddling him between us when he was just a few hours old, and we brand-spanking-new grandparents are kissing over his head. Something was reborn in that couple of 25+ years that day. Our interests have always tended to be different and were getting increasingly so, but, that cold February afternoon in Dallas, Texas, we somersaulted right back into one another and tumbled into a well of love with a seven pound man-child.
Keith and I got to have Jackson and Annabeth Friday night while Curtis and Amanda went to dinner and a movie. They’d been gone for 10 days to Wyoming and, even though we’d seen them at a Mexican food restaurant the day they got home, we’d not had them to ourselves yet. We made a date right away. They delight us to no end and cause us to laugh until our sides split. Don’t get the idea there’s no work involved but investments don’t get better than this one. We have real, live conversation over dinner these days and, when you’re grandparents, not a single word gets wasted on you. All of it’s solid gold. Jackson told us at the dinner table Friday night while stuffing a piece of warm French bread into his mouth that butter is his “temptutation.” And, sure enough, it was dripping off of his chin and looked so good that we all shared that same temptutation and gave right on in to it.
We have an empty room in our house right now because we wanted Melissa and Colin to have her bedroom furniture and it’s turned into the perfect playroom. Nothing like an empty room to fire up the imagination. Jackson and I built an obstacle course Friday night that ended with a dizzying spin in my swiveling desk chair. It was so much fun. Amanda and Curtis walked through the door at 10:15 and we were all four still up in the kitchen, Paw Paw popping popcorn on the stove. It’s so good to have the Jones’s home. Melissa and Colin have been out of town for a week, too, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on them. They’re flying home from California this very moment. Most of the time they were out of cell phone range so we’ll have plenty to catch up on.
On to the business at hand! Our year is flying by! It’s time to check in with our fifteenth verses for our Siesta Scripture Memory Team. For some reason I’ve seen the word “gentleness” turn up a number of times in my Scripture reading lately so I’ve decided to choose a memory verse that makes especially important use of it. Here goes:
Beth, Houston. “Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.” Galatians 6:1 The NET Bible
Restoration is one of the most powerful, intentional works of the Cross of Christ. Let’s never refuse anyone his or her right to be restored. Here’s to a little gentleness in a harsh world. Everyone could use some.
Stay in the Word, Siestas! You are so loved here!
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:16
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
so as soon as I finished watching Beth’s video, I clicked on the 2,000+ memory verse link, cuz I so love reading them and reflecting their messages, and lo and behold, this was the first verse in the list – exactly the verse Beth gave us in the video. I LOVE THIS! God is so amazing.
Soory I am soooo late, my computer died, had to buy a new one. here is my verse.
Becky
Brentwood TN
Ps 91:2
NIV
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my god, in whom I trust.
thank you Beth for that word after Gal 6:1, to never refuse anyone their right to be restored. I lead a Bible study called Surrendering the Secret. It is for women who have abortion in their past. God uses His Word and Christ’s work on the Cross to lift shame and guilt through His forgiveness, truth, and love. He restores hope and dignity. He redeems our lives and uses them for good! There are those who believe no one who chose abortion deserves restoration. God cares very much about the condition of our hearts. I am grateful to be restored and to be an instrument of God’s gentle restoration for others!
Sharon, San Antonio, Texas
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
(I’m late again – but I’m still going strong on memorizing, just not on posting!)
Jessica, Westminster, MD
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:29, ESV
Sarah, Ames, IA
Please excuse my IMMENSE tardiness. We’ve had a family emergency this past week and getting to do this was pushed further down on the totem pole. That to say, this verse has been absolutely necessary and precious to my soul through it all! Love you gals!
Col. 4:6 “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with Salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” Col 4:6 HCSB
Connie H – Forsyth, MO
You are my refuge and my shield: I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114 (NIV)
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:5 NIV
Carrie H, Burnsville, MN
Proverbs 3:5&6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM
and he will make your paths straight.
Margaret, Sebring, FL
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
1 Corinthians 16:13 RSV
“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.”
Sorry I am late! EBS, Little Rock, AR
My verse is Romans 7:21-24 NIV
“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.What a wretched man I am!”
Shaunta’, Montgomery
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the worl why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees such as, Col. 2:1920 (NAS)
Mt 24:13
“But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”
…For the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him… 1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT
Kathy @ Wilmington NC
Janice; Milford, IL
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matt 22:37-40
I just returned from a mission trip to Joplin, MO where Grace Baptist Church is doing an amazing job of organizing volunteers and meeting the needs of the people affected by the tornado. On the back of their t-shirts they have “Love your neighbor as yourself” And they are DOING just that.
Stephanie, Canton, He personally bore my sins in His own body on the tree that I might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds I have been healed. (I Peter 2:24) AMP
Robin, Morehead,KY: “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” RSV Matt. 5:8
So glad to be with the group of “late sisters!”
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Psalm 32:11 NKJV
Nancy,Arkansas
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12NKJ
Karina Sousa, Recife- Brazil
I own the silver,
I own the gold.’
Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
“‘This Temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious beginning but an even more glorious finish: a place in which I will hand out wholeness and holiness.’ Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.” Haggai 2:8-9, The Message
Dear Beth, I also have a granddaguther that started kindergarten this week. My daughter is struggling with the push for home schooling because she and her husband chose not to home school. Are there some good resources, especially about the age of the earth and so forth, that she could use at home. My daughter is told over and over that if she sends Ellie to school all she will hear is lies and she should protect her by keeping her home and home schooling. Ellie loves the whole school athmospher and I know there are many Chrisitan teachers along with those who are not. I just wondered you thoughts on all this as Jackson starts school. And yes didn’t it come so fast. Grandma Mel
Danville, CA
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Robyn~ Dallas, TX
Psalm 51:10 KJV
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Paula, Batavia, Ohio
Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, HCSB)
Spring, TX
All scripture is God-Breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NIV]
Cameron – Richmond, VA
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
D’Anna
Kilgore, Texas
Isaiah 46:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
Jennifer, Collierville, TN:
1 Corinthians 10:23 Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive. NIV
Better late than never, right??
Sharon, LP. MI.
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:9 NIV
Michelle Sylvan Springs, AL ESV Romans 12:12
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Jaclyn, Houston. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV
Karen K. in Houston, TX — For You have delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living. Ps 56:13 NASB
Janice, Tulsa. “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalms 126:3 NIV
Jan, Littleton, CO,
[Jesus said]
“Then you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.”
– John 8:32 (NIV)
Norwood,, MA
” A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Greenacres, FL
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Romans 8:19 NLT
Becky, Rushsylvania Ohio
But the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV84
2 Timothy 2:25-26 (NIV)
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct
in the hope that God will grant them repentance
leading to a knowledge of the truth
and that they will come to their senses
and escape from the trap of the devil
who has take them captive to do his will.
Julie, Boone NC
Shari from Ohio – “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Becky, Alberta, Canada
God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Christy, FL – “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” Prov. 17:28
Juliana
Livermore, CA
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:14 ESV
I’m sorry I’m late, too! I did pick a verse earlier, but forgot to check in!!!
“Those who know your name will trust you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Psalm 71:14-15 NIV
But as for me, I will alway have hope;
I will praise You more and more.
My mouth will tell of Your righteouness,
of Your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.
Rita Brown
Midland, TX
Amy W., Columbia, SC – “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jerm. 31:34 (NKJ)
” The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.” Psalm 138:8 Holman
Crissy, Nashville
Deborah @ Dublin
1 Samuel 2:9 KJV
Hannah’s Praise
“He will keep the feet of his saints,
and the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
For by strength shall no man prevail.
Rachel
Tucson, AZ
1 Timothy 6:6 NIV
But godliness with contentment is great gain.